Recent News and Legislative Updates

New Hampshire

03/16/2007

House Bill 908-FN sponsored by Representative Baroody has been introduced in the New Hampshire General Court and is scheduled to be heard in the Executive Departments and Administration Committee on March 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.

South Dakota

03/09/2007

Governor Rounds signed senate Bill 70 into law on March 2, 2007. The law amends the Massage Therapy Practice Act, which was enacted in 2005. The law changes 3 key issues:
  • The fees associated with the application and licensing process will be reduced. The nonrefundable application fee will be $100 and the license and renewal fee will be capped at the amount of $65 instead of $300. The license will be valid for one year instead of two years.

New Jersey

03/07/2007

Senate Bill 2536, sponsored by Sen. Nia Gill, has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill would amend the current voluntary certification law by requiring mandatory licensing of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapists. While the bill positively addresses many ABMP concerns with the current law, it misses a few key points as well. To view the entire bill, go to: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S3000/2536_I1.PDF

Maryland

03/07/2007

House Bill 448 has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates. The bill would expand the definition of “taxable services” under the sales and use tax imposing additional sales taxes on consumers; including on massage therapy. Massage is the only health care service to be added as a taxable service. To view the entire bill, go to: http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/hb/hb0448f.pdf

New Jersey

09/12/2006

As ABMP reported, effective Sunday, October 1, 2006, massage, bodywork, and somatic services will be subject to 7% sales tax in New Jersey unless the client has a prescription from a doctor. I recommend that you read this bulletin carefully, then follow up with a trip to the website mentioned to begin the process. If you are employed by someone else, your employer is responsible for collecting the tax. However,

New Jersey

07/25/2006

Despite the efforts of ABMP members and massage, bodywork, and somatic therapists throughout the state, the New Jersey Legislature passed a budget bill that increased the state’s sales and use tax from 6% - 7% on July 15,2006, and expands the base sales tax on October 1, 2006. From Assembly Bill 4901, the provision reads: "3. There is imposed and there shall be paid a tax of 7% upon: (9) Massage, bodywork or somatic services, except such services provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription."

Massachusetts

07/17/2006

On June 27, 2006, Senate Bill 2256 jumped the last hurdle and became law. Both the Senate and House of Representatives voted to override the governor’s veto to pass a law to regulate massage and form a board of massage therapy to administer and enforce regulation. Until approximately April 30th, 2008, current practitioners will be able to qualify for a license under the Grandfathering provision by satisfying one of the following:
  • Provides documentation acceptable to the board demonstrating the applicant has provided at

Illinois

05/17/2006

Proposed rules have been written by the Illinois Massage Licensing Board to clarify continuing education requirements. The first license renewal for all massage therapists is December 31, 2006. Massage therapists will not be required to comply with the continuing education requirement until the 2008 renewal. Beginning in 2008, therapists will be required to demonstrate completion of 24 hours of continuing education, including two hours addressing the subject of ethics. Therapists are encouraged to save any receipts or certificates of attendance received when completing

Arizona

03/03/2006

The Arizona Board of Massage Therapy met on Monday, February 27, 2006 to accept public comment on their intention to raise the educational requirements for state licensing and decrease the licensing fees. Proposed education hour increase

Pages